Polish president Lech Kaczynski and his wife Maria, along with high-ranking officials in a delegation, were killed after their plane crashed on approach to Smolensk airport in western Russia. Army chief of staff, General Franciszek Gagor, National Bank President Slawomir Skrzypek and Deputy Foreign Minister Andrzej Kremer were on the passenger list.

The plane — a Tupolev Tu-154 — apparently attempted to land several times in fog and clipped some treetops on approach.

The delegation was on its way to attend a World War Two memorial service.